Today 11 years ago you left this world. We still appreciate how you participated in this world with integrity, care and kindness. May we all do so well in this time we have to live consciously, treat all life with respect , be good stewards of this amazing planet and enjoy in the truest sense this gift we have been given. I know you would like this new book by Prem Rawat, " Hear Yourself " as you have always advocated for personal responsibility, and this book helps each of us do just that, with very freeing results. Love you, Ibi

Happy birthday, Mr. Hinrichs. You made a huge impact on The Harley School and so many, many, students. You are missed!

Happy Birthday Dad.
Would have been your 103rd! It is a beautiful day with sunshine and warmth, just like you radiated while here.
It being a spring day, I look forward to seeing a great blue heron again which I always associate with you. We carry on with input from the joy of nature and with living the kindness that is inherent in every human being.. and will be the key to our future.

Hi Dad,
Here we are 10 years on and the people are so much more engaged in our Democracy. The democracy that you were so passionate about. You would be happy to see the awakening that has happened with young and old alike to really participate and take this - living with equality for all - seriously. The passion that nature instilled in you is making itself heard again too. She is calling out to all to be conscious in everything we do. We have the chance to be involved in a big change , a change in what motivates us - away from the isolation that western ways have wreaked on the human psyche to the possibility of connecting to all of creation as an integral part. It is possible. I know you are cheering us on. with love, your daughter Ibi

Remember Steve fondly and would like the phone number of Grace or a family member.

I can not believe it has been 10 years already. The lessons you taught me are still with me and always will be. To love and be loved is such a precious gift to receive and to share. To continue to learn about the world and yourself keeps us moving forward. To labor is to use all that we have for the betterment of ourselves and our society. To laugh at ourselves is to be certain that we don't take ourselves too seriously because we can be foolish sometimes, or maybe just playful? To leave is to take some of the pain with us as we go, but i have found that in leaving, wonderful memories remain; and we take some of the loneliness with us as we go. Steve and family, you are loved. Even if it has been years since we have been together. You are loved and remembered.

And now we are joining you on this next great adventure, Steve -- thank you for being such a beacon in so many ways...

Dad, I came across this poem by the 2019 Poet Laureate Joy Harjo, and thought of you and all you taught me and allowed me to be. thank you.
Love continues always. Celebrating you on the anniversary of your birth. Ibi

Eagle Poem

To pray you open your whole self
To sky, to earth, to sun, to moon
To one whole voice that is you.
And know there is more
That you can’t see, can’t hear;
Can’t know except in moments
Steadily growing, and in languages
That aren’t always sound but other
Circles of motion.
Like eagle that Sunday morning
Over Salt River. Circled in blue sky
In wind, swept our hearts clean
With sacred wings.
We see you, see ourselves and know
That we must take the utmost care
And kindness in all things.
Breathe in, knowing we are made of
All this, and breathe, knowing
We are truly blessed because we
Were born, and die soon within a
True circle of motion,
Like eagle rounding out the morning
Inside us.
We pray that it will be done
In beauty.
In beauty.


Joy Harjo, “Eagle Poem” from In Mad Love and War.

Every time I read a newspaper, or daily, I think of Steve - who taught us how to read newspapers. AIC will be preserved forever by the Great Pond Mountain Conservation Trust, a most wonderful organization which all former AIC people should join. . .. Kitty Greve Darst

Every time I choose another biography of one of our Presidents, I thank Steve for pointing me in this direction. It has been an exciting and eye-opening journey for which I will be forever grateful. Thank you, Steve.

I'm still waiting for Steve's successor to appear. 
By the way, does anybody know what's become of Alamoosook Island?

We'll NEVER forget - you will be with us always!

Celebrating you Dad, your humor, love, passion for life and all that you passed on to me. Right now in Australia, walking tracks and swimming in ancient pools that the Yugambeh people called home and took care of. I am continuing to be involved in nature's care and people's deepest connections to the wonder of life. Looking to find an out door sculpture to put at Harley that will be near the tree they are replanting in your honor, just one more visible reflection of what you have meant to so many students of life. with love this day and all days.

Hi, Grace,
As I leave Samoset Village after more than 30 years, I am most grateful for the wonderful memories of time spent with our wonderful neighbors, including Stephen and you. Today is also a sad day for me as Philip died two years ago on this same date. All the best to you.
Fondly,
Brenda Doherty

I have been serving at a summer camp for our inner-city kids for the past 14 years. We are out in the country for a month with 157 kids from age 7 to 17. It is a real blessing to serve in this way. As staff, one of the things we all talk about is our own summer camp experiences. I can not tell you how many times I have drawn from my experiences at AIC and the powerful leadership of my mentor Steve. I didn't know it at the time, but he was showing me "how it's done" in all the best ways. Steve was my teacher in so many ways. I will always love and respect him. I can not believe that it has been 8 years. Sending love and prayers to the family.We were so lucky to have him in our lives.  Always Remembered.  M+

We met Stephen (and Kate) aboard his boat "Tetra" at Bucks Harbour, Maine at the end of August 1984. He lives on in our cruising memories.
James & Frances - "Tara"
One year out from Gosport, England

Happy 100th, Stephen! So much has changed since you left us, but I still remember your wisdom. Our country could certainly use some of that today.

Dear Steve,
This would have been your 100th. I'd just like to say thank you for all those times I needed your guidance, and there you were. Your kind insistence and strong nudge got me through when I couldn't do it on my own. There have been times all throughout my life when I remember you for that great gift you gave me. You have been and continue to be a gentile giant in my life. I still draw from those lessons you taught us so well. Thank you for all you have done, and continue to do for me. Your example has been a great help.
Love to the family and Happy 100th Steve.
MDB+

We remember your birthday and think of you often. Thank you, Steve for opening to me the love of not just reading history and memorizing a bunch of facts but going deeper into the people who lived it and learning their motives and their personalities. Every time I pick up one of my "history" books, I am grateful for your pointing the way.

Dear Steve,

I remember you when I read the four newspapers each morning. I remember you when I wish for more intelligence in DC. Between JBS and AIC there are lots of thoughts of you daily. - Kitty

There was then a time
With Alamoosook I could rhyme
Thnking back on two Seasons
And us, in our prime

Last year I went back
And want you to know
Rowed around that island
With my husband in tow

Memories of “Temporary”*
Showed bright and so clear
So we built a new boat
At that school which is near

We drove to Wooden Boat School
They sold us wood, and glue and tool
In seven days a hull we concocted
And boy, we thought it mighty cool.

So now we row or go a-sailing
Grandkids, laughing, do the bailing
“Hard Hearted Hannah” our voices wailing
A tribute to you, Steve, our thanks never failing.

Neila Helmholz Williams
John Burroughs and AIC back in the 60’s
Ps I hope you real poets will be kind to these rhymes.

A hearty "Thank You" to the Hinrichs family and all who have maintained this site over the years. It is only right that we get a chance each year to remember Steve on his birthday and on the day of his passing to reflect on this man's life, the lessons that he gave us and the directions that he turned us toward. We don't often think of teachers as "givers", but that is what they are; giving of their knowledge, wisdom and time to help us realize the gifts that we were given. Thank you Steve for giving so fully to so many.

Steve, the years go by and your wisdom is missed every day as it was when I last left AIC. . . Kitty Greve Darst

All these years I thought that I was the only kid at AIC who struggled with finding their place in the world. Then I find that most of us were struggling. But Steve was the true teacher. Through his gentle voice and actions he led us to find ourselves and our place in community. There were others who did the same thing for us. But it was through Steve's leadership and guidance that AIC was the place it was. He was a brilliant person, teacher, mentor and friend. Thank you Steve for all you did for us. Truly you will never be forgotten and the lessons you taught us are still being taught to the ones coming up now.
Love always to the family.
Mike+

Thank you, Steve, for all you offered us struggling young ones, especially as a model for our own elderhood...

Gone, yet a strong link that holds us together even now.

Happy 99th Birthday Dad, In your honor today we are putting in some solar lights on the trees in front of the house, beacons of light in the dark, just like you were to me and so many others. Life continues to be an amazing adventure and I am so glad for the foundation you gave me.
This year is Harley's 100th and it would be fantastic if anyone wanted to honor Stephen by contributing to have his name sponsor one of the continuing Mindfulness and Empathy courses or one of the Civic engagement courses.(HarleySchool.org) If so contact me at: IbiPhotographyNow@gmail.com.
Dad, I know you would be quite engaged today and loving the renewed civic participation so many are choosing. Here's to continuing your clear vision and heart.

Always love checking in to this website on Steve's birthday. Love watching the slide show of his life, and especially some of the pictures of Victoria, Kate, Christian, and Ibi when they were growing up together. And today Ibi's beautiful tribute is below. He was a beacon of light to many, and mindfulness and empathy defined him. Thank you, dear Ibi, for posting your warm and thoughtful tribute.

Happy Birthday Steve! Gracie-thinking of Steve, you, and the family today and of all the good times we had together both aboard and ashore. Love

Nancy and Joe

I was just in Maine, where I first met, and knew Steve. We had a foggy day or two, and looking out on the water and searching, i remembered that Steve said, we all have our own personal mirage when looking into the fog for a buoy or a ledge. His, he said, was "3 men in a dory." I have never forgotten that. Mine seems to be an island with pine trees. Steve changed my life and I have not forgotten, nor will I.

Today is the 6th anniversary of Steve's passing. My last tribute in March 2016 on what would have been his 98th birthday says exactly the same thing I would say today. ForeverMissed is a good name for this website.

Happy birthday, Steve, wherever your sails are set.
Great site for a great guy--love all the pictures. Hi Gracie, the love of Steve's life. Nancy and I send along our love to you.

Happy birthday, Stephen! You are missed by many.

Forever missed, and yet in some ways always present since his wonderful spirit has been so much a part of my life. He would have been 98 today and I would love to have heard his comments on this particular election year! (I wonder if even he could find any comparable low points in American history when it comes to the level of discourse among the Republicans)!

Happy Birthday, Steve. We will miss you always. . .

Kitty and Guy

I can't believe it's been 5 years. We've had a week of fantastic weather this week at the Samoset. Steve would have loved the golfing on these days. He is missed.

Thinking of Steve today--and many many other days as well of course. Just back from a wonderful week in Santa Fe NM with Victoria and Robert who are both doing noble work with their art, Robert with fused glass, Victoria with her silk painting and her teaching of Aura Soma color therapy. They have good friends there and live close to the land outside of town with views of the mountains and the star-filled sky at night. It was a pleasure to share some of that. Steve would be pleased that we are still very much a close family. With best wishes to all, Grace

Happy Birthday, Steve! We still think about you and talk about you and probably we always will. . .

I wake to a brilliant snow covered morning, perfect for a downhill or cross country ski. Dad introduced us all to skiing with a flair. He being one of the first ever to bring a student group to Aspen, at that time a very sleepy little town. Who would think the high school students from a Missouri high school, John Burroughs, would be skiing pioneers? For this love and many other loves I salute and remember you today Dad on what would have been your 97th.

Great to have people continuing to check in and sometimes leaving remembrances full of fondness and gratitude. As a friend of mine said to me once, "He was a prince!" Needless to say I continue to miss him. With best wishes to all, Grace

Dear Steve, Still miss you as a friend and as a teacher - it doesn't get better as the years pass. I'm sure you're part of me! Much love to all,
Kitty Greve Darst, JBS '56, AIC '58. '59

Steve helped us all to believe in ourselves and have the patience to discover our special gifts. He did everything with integrity and a wry sense of humor. Somehow his threats, at AIC 1968, to call me Big Daddy Barn Smell turned me into a hygiene freak. At Harley he set the tone and direction of the school while being available to the students. No doubt his students and campers have a host of unusual accomplishments that would impress the world, generate many humorous stories, and inspire the next generation. A great mentor.

I wrote my term paper for Steve thinking plagiarism meant not quoting sources exactly while using them for my own writing. So I changed at least one or two words in each I pretended were my own. I got a C+ (a gift, I think) with the comment, "An interesting paper written in a style somewhat more mature than you own." Never forgot that or Steve...

Wishing comfort to those with such fond memories

SO nice to be able to visit Steve again on these pages. Gracie, we're thinking of you and the family on this bright and beautiful day and send our best love! Cheers! Nancy and Joe  

Harley, Rochester, Bristol Harbour, Maine and the Mid Atlantic

Booth and I are planting a memorial maple today to celebrate Dad's life. It is a crystal clear warm fall day here at Laughing Water, Augusta,West Virginia just the kind he loved. There is a slight breeze blowing and the very first of the Shasta daisies is just about to bloom, I think it will be open by the end of the day. Today feels like Dad, always renewing his love of learning, engagement, and participation in life. The hummingbird family is having a ball at the feeder, dancing together in the air and chirping their communication. All nature is saying, as I can hear Dad saying, "Life is a foot, be a part of it." lots of love to all, Ibi and Booth (photo added in that section)

Time passes so quickly. It hardly seems possible that Steve has been gone 4 years. Philip and I think of him when we look out our window on the 17th hole of the Samoset. He was a special person and is greatly missed.

Dear Steve,
Back in St. Louis, I remember when you had made for us a weird table - instead of desks - for our US history classes. That was a long time ago, but you'll not EVER be forgotten!
Cheers,
Kitty Greve Darst

Happy 96th, Steve. Good people live on forever in our memories.

Our kind thoughts to you Grace. How wonderful to have the memories of times spent with Steve.

You never get over the "missing" but it helps to think of the fun you have had together.